The Players burst onto stage with the infectious 'Omigod You Guys' as Elle frantically tries to find the perfect dress to wear for her boyfriend's imminent proposal. Except he dumps her.

But as Elle mourns the loss of her one true love, so the musical lost some of that high-powered, bubblegum pink energy that started it off with a bang.

Towards the end of the first half hairdresser Paulette (Harriet Shields) provided some welcomed comic moments, but it really got going again in the second act.

The dance routines were more spectacular, particularly the 'Whipped into Shape' segment and the musical's famous 'Bend and Snap' scene, the laughs came more easily and the songs more memorable.

And while the cast as a whole more than did the show justice, Polly Woodward shone as Elle from the moment she set foot on the stage.

She hit every note, delivered each line convincingly and beautifully chartered Elle's journey from dumb Malibu blonde to serious Harvard law student without ever making it feel insincere.

At its heart, Legally Blonde is an upbeat, feel-good, fun musical with plenty of singing, plenty of dancing and plenty of pink.

Legally Blonde runs at the Marina until Saturday, June 6. For tickets, call the box office on 01502 533 200.